Introduction to Criminal Justice System (CJS)

Note: Don't forget to read your note extensively before going through this
documented PDF.

multiple-choice questions and answers covering the fundamentals of the criminal

justice system for exam prep involves addressing key topics like law enforcement,
the court system, corrections, and criminological theories. Here's a sample of
questions that can serve as a starting point:

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Law Enforcement

1. Q: What is the primary function of law enforcement in the criminal justice

system?

A: To investigate crimes, gather evidence, and arrest suspects.

2. Q: Which amendment protects individuals from unreasonable searches and

seizures?

A: The Fourth Amendment.

3. Q: The concept of "probable cause" is required for:

A: Obtaining a search or arrest warrant.

4. Q: Community policing focuses on:

A: Building ties and working closely with members of the community.

5. Q: The exclusionary rule prohibits:

A: The use of illegally obtained evidence in court.

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Prosecution and Defense

6. Q: Who represents the state or government in a criminal trial?

A: The prosecutor.

7. Q: The legal standard of "beyond a reasonable doubt" is required for:

A: Convicting a defendant in a criminal trial.

8. Q: What is plea bargaining?

A: A negotiation where the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge to avoid trial.

9. Q: A defense attorney’s primary role is to:

A: Defend the legal rights of the accused.

10. Q: Which type of court typically handles minor offenses like traffic violations?

A: Municipal or lower courts.

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The Courts

11. Q: In the U.S., the judicial branch of government is primarily responsible for:

A: Interpreting and applying laws.

12. Q: A bench trial is a trial where:

A: The judge alone decides the case, without a jury.

13. Q: Which court case established the right to legal counsel for defendants unable
to afford it?

A: Gideon v. Wainwright.

14. Q: Who presides over a criminal court trial?

A: The judge.

15. Q: What is the purpose of a grand jury?

A: To determine if there is sufficient evidence to charge someone with a crime.

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Corrections and Punishment

16. Q: What is the primary goal of the correctional system?

A: To punish, rehabilitate, and reintegrate offenders into society.

17. Q: Parole is:

A: The early release of an inmate under certain conditions before the full sentence
is served.
18. Q: Probation is an alternative to:

A: Incarceration, allowing the offender to serve their sentence in the community.

19. Q: A "halfway house" is a type of:

A: Transitional facility for individuals re-entering society after prison.

20. Q: The process of sentencing aims to:

A: Determine a punishment appropriate to the crime committed.

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Criminology Basics

21. Q: Criminology is the study of:

A: Crime, its causes, and its effects on society.

22. Q: Which theory suggests that crime results from social or economic
inequalities?

A: Social structure theory.

23. Q: Routine Activities Theory suggests that crime occurs when there is:

A: A motivated offender, a suitable target, and lack of guardianship.

24. Q: Biological theories of crime focus on:

A: Genetic and physiological factors that may predispose individuals to crime.

25. Q: The strain theory suggests that crime results from:

A: A lack of access to legitimate means to achieve societal goals.

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Rights and Constitutional Protections

26. Q: The Sixth Amendment guarantees:

A: The right to a speedy and public trial.

27. Q: The Miranda warning must be read when:

A: A suspect is taken into police custody and before questioning.

28. Q: Which amendment provides protection against self-incrimination?

A: The Fifth Amendment.

29. Q: Double jeopardy, prohibited by the Fifth Amendment, means:

A: A person cannot be tried twice for the same crime.

30. Q: The Eighth Amendment prohibits:

A: Cruel and unusual punishment.

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Juvenile Justice

31. Q: The juvenile justice system is designed primarily to:

A: Rehabilitate young offenders.

32. Q: Juveniles are typically tried in:

A: Juvenile courts, separate from adult criminal courts.

33. Q: Which principle guides the juvenile justice system?

A: "Parens patriae," or the state acting as a guardian.

34. Q: A juvenile offender is generally someone under the age of:

A: 18.

35. Q: Juvenile detention facilities are:

A: Designed to hold young offenders before trial or placement.

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Additional Concepts and Terminology

36. Q: Recidivism is the tendency for:

A: Previously convicted criminals to reoffend.

37. Q: Which process allows offenders to serve their sentences outside prison
under supervision?
A: Probation.

38. Q: What does "mens rea" refer to in criminal law?

A: The mental intent to commit a crime.

39. Q: The term "habeas corpus" is a legal principle that:

A: Protects against unlawful detention.

40. Q: Victimology is the study of:

A: The impact of crime on victims and their role in the justice process.

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Advanced Topics

41. Q: Diversion programs are designed to:

A: Redirect offenders away from traditional criminal justice processes.

42. Q: Restorative justice focuses on:

A: Healing the harm caused by crime through reconciliation.

43. Q: Determinate sentencing is a system where:

A: Offenders are given fixed sentence without a parole variability.

Here’s an overview of the criminal justice system in Nigeria, with some questions
that could be useful for your examination on the Nigerian context.
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Overview of Nigeria’s Criminal Justice System

Nigeria’s criminal justice system, similar to many systems globally, is composed of

several key institutions: law enforcement, the judiciary, and corrections. The
system is guided by the Nigerian Constitution, which sets out the rights of citizens
and establishes guidelines for justice administration. It faces unique challenges,
including issues related to policing practices, judicial efficiency, prison
overcrowding, and reforms aimed at improving fairness and accountability.

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Sample Questions and Answers on Nigeria’s Criminal Justice System

1. Q: What is the primary law enforcement agency in Nigeria?

A: The Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

2. Q: What movement in Nigeria highlighted police brutality and called for police
reform?

A: The EndSARS movement.

3. Q: Which court is the highest in Nigeria’s judicial system?

A: The Supreme Court of Nigeria.

4. Q: What is the main responsibility of the Nigerian Correctional Service?

A: To manage prisons and rehabilitation facilities across the country.

5. Q: In Nigeria, what issue contributes significantly to prison overcrowding?

A: High numbers of pre-trial detainees.

6. Q: The Nigerian Constitution guarantees which fundamental rights for criminal
suspects?

A: Rights to fair trial, legal representation, and protection from torture.

7. Q: What body in Nigeria is responsible for prosecuting federal offenses?

A: The Federal Ministry of Justice.

8. Q: What initiative is focused on reducing court case backlogs in Nigeria?

A: Judicial reforms aimed at speeding up the legal process.

9. Q: Under Nigerian law, a person is considered innocent until:

A: Proven guilty in a court of law.

10. Q: Which Nigerian agency investigates financial crimes, such as fraud and
corruption?

A: The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

11. Q: Which legal principle, rooted in Nigerian law, prevents a person from being
tried twice for the same offense?

A: Double jeopardy.

12. Q: In Nigeria, who has the authority to grant a pardon to a convicted criminal?

A: The President or a State Governor.

13. Q: Which court in Nigeria primarily handles serious criminal cases, such as
murder?

A: The High Court.

14. Q: What is the purpose of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in Nigeria’s

justice system?

A: To resolve conflicts outside of the traditional court system.

15. Q: The Nigerian Constitution was established in what year?

A: 1999 (the Fourth Republic Constitution).

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Personal research by MAYOKUN for CBT examination.

Lecturer in charge of course:-
Mr Agboola/ Mr azeez.